Help me spend my budget properly

Hi, I would advise me to set-up my first photography studio, although photography has always been my hobby now I want to do more professionally and perhaps see it as business. I think I have the basic equipment to start, a year ago I bought my first professional camera, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 24-70mm f/2.8L and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II lenses. also recently bought my first flash Speedlite 580EX II. Now I think the next step ... or expense haha, would be the lights and accesories for the studio. I have $1,700 to spend on lights, softboxes, grids, remote control, transmitters, receivers etc.
I was thinking on two Einstein E640 and perhaps a third one in the future. What you guys think?
What you suggest with that budget? What i need?
advice please will thank you very much.
Greetings

You can sometimes find quality, name-brand (I am not referring to the Chinese El-Cheapos) studio flash units or even complete sets, used, on eBay at significantly reduced prices. I would modify my eBay search by selecting "used" which will rule out the majority of the Chinese units...

having just recently purchased a flash, do you feel comfortable enough to move up to studio strobes? Have you done off-camera flash work yet?

I like to start simple, and work from there. I've had other people ask what they should buy when they are starting off with off-camera flash, and I give them this list. This is what I bought to start out. Lightweight, and portable. works great indoors and outdoors for fill as long as you aren't trying to overpower the sun.

Shopping List:

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1300936​992&sr=1-1 Yongnuo-560 Manual Flash $70

http://cgi.ebay.com …ts_JN&hash=item​35ad027edd Yonguo RF-602 wireless trigger set $60

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​847&sr=8-1 TWO 40" umbrella softboxes $30

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​878&sr=8-5 TWO light stands $40

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1300936​890&sr=8-1 umbrella mount $30 X 2 = $60

total of around $260....less than the cost of a 430 EX II flash.

with the extra cash you saved, buy some photo DVDs such as Zack Arias' OneLight. Brand new, the DVD runs $250ish I believe, but you can usually find used copies on eBay or here on the forum for around $125-150ish

Get the two Einsteins.
Get a couple of PLMs to use with them.
Depending on your space 10 ft stands are probably enough.
Get those from Calumet.
Get Cyber Commander for metering and controlling the Einsteins along with the Einstein modules.

That should just about use up your budget.

And provide you with a nice light kit for studio work.

^^i second that. I went the 3 Speedlight route and quickly found it's limitations. They are more combersome. After you get tired of the speedlights, you'll be left with a couple you will have no use for. Invest in the Einsteins now so you won't have to upgrade later. Get the cyber commander because it will allow you to control all lights.

there are limitations to speedlites, but I was questioning whether or not he's had enough experience considering he mentioned he just recently purchased a flash. There was no mention of using it off-camera....so was it used on-camera with ettl all the time?

I wouldn't want him to end up like countless others that buy the absolute best gear possible, and then ask tons of questions on how to use them or wonder why their pictures look bad.

PWard wrote in post #12447769
there are limitations to speedlites, but I was questioning whether or not he's had enough experience considering he mentioned he just recently purchased a flash. There was no mention of using it off-camera....so was it used on-camera with ettl all the time?

I wouldn't want him to end up like countless others that buy the absolute best gear possible, and then ask tons of questions on how to use them or wonder why their pictures look bad.

+1

But it's SO hard to get someone set on buying three lights, and having the money, to stop, slow down, and take it one step at a time.

I know......first hand!

Don't forget backdrops! Stands, white seamless paper, black cloth/muslin backdrop, etc.

And even if you don't buy the DVD, read Zack Arias' blog on using white seamless. It's amazing what he can do with just some white paper and a single light. Two or three lights and a couple of reflectors, and it just gets better and better.

I spent almost that exact amount 3 years ago from Adorama for a 3 light setup with wireless triggers, umbrellas and softboxes with a lastolite background. You could easily get a stand an seamless for less than the lastolite. Not sure how much their prices have changed, but the lights have been flawless.

Flashpoint II 24%26quot%3B x 24%26quot%3B Softbox for all Model II Monolights.
Flashpoint (SKU: FP2SB2424) 1 $59.95 $59.95

Flashpoint II 24%26quot%3B x 36%26quot%3B Softbox for all Model II Monolights.
Flashpoint (SKU: FP2SB2436) 2 $69.95 $139.90

Flashpoint 1220A Portrait Wedding Monolight Kit, with Two 1220A Monolights, Stands, Umbrellas %26amp%3B Case
Flashpoint (SKU: FP1220PWK) 1 $749.95 $749.95

Flashpoint II 1220A Monolight Kit, 600 Watt Second, One Monolight Kit with Stand and Umbrella.
Flashpoint (SKU: FP1220K) 1 $339.95 $339.95

Flashpoint 4 Channel, Radio Remote Control Set, with Transmitter and Receiver, Range of 90'
Flashpoint (SKU: FPRRS) 1 $49.95 $49.95

Lastolite HiLite, 5%26quot%3B x 7%26quot%3B Collapsible Disc Background, Translucient for Easy High Key Shots.
Lastolite (SKU: LSHB57) 1 $376.95 $376.95


Subtotal $1,716.65

It's a lot easier to learn lighting if you have modeling lights to help pre-visualize.

The kind of lights has little to do with learning how to light a subject. It just has to do with specific technical considerations like color balance, etc.

Spending time on the internet looking for lighting tutorials etc is useful but nothing is better than practice.